What's New for SXSWedu in 2012?

After a successful launch in 2011, SXSWedu is expanding to provide three days of compelling content addressing innovations in learning, March 6-8, 2012, in Austin, Texas.

PanelPicker Makes SXSWedu Your Education Conference!

PanelPicker is a new and robust online submission form for SXSWedu programming suggestions. It will be launched Monday, August 29, and session proposals can be submitted through Saturday, October 1.

Once the submission process closes, members of the SXSWedu community will be able to review, vote and comment on the proposed sessions, offering session presenters suggestions for topics they hope will be addressed!

Input from the community – via PanelPicker – will help inform final programming decisions and selections, along with input from the SXSWedu Advisory Board and staff.

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Opening Session “Content Collaborative”!

SXSWedu 2012 will start with a bang, the morning of March 6, with a special session that brings together three powerful educational conferences and their unique audiences.

Joining SXSWedu for an opening session on technology trends in education from across K-12, Higher Education and Internationally, will be the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) and the Society for Instructional Technology in Teacher Education (SITE), both of whom SXSWedu is pleased to be partnering with for this exciting and enlightening session.

Following a presentation from the New Media Consortium regarding trend lines based upon years of data about educational technology use and deployment from its Horizon Report, respondents from each of the three conferences will provide reactions and remarks. A live streaming Q&A connecting participants from each of the venues permit the conversation about innovations in learning to expand beyond the walls of each respective venue.

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“Meet Ups” Help you Connect with People that Share your Interests!

At SXSWedu, a Meet Up is an opportunity to connect with others who share similar interests, for relaxed conversation and discussion. Sponsored Meet Ups are being organized for many of the content strands at SXSWedu, both for “early bird” gatherings in the morning before programming begins, and hospitality Meet Ups at the end of the day.

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LAUNCHedu: Hear the Latest from Education Entreprenuers!

LAUNCHedu provides an exciting opportunity for conference registrants to see promising entrepreneurs publicly pitch their startup education business concepts and products. LAUNCHedu sessions are sure to be full of fast-paced conversation and demonstrations before a panel of judges that include venture capitalists, successful entrepreneurs, and education practitioners.

Companies that are deemed to have the greatest opportunity for success and impact will move forward to an exciting final round of presentations, where the winners will be announced…and rewarded!

Visit the LAUNCHedu page to learn more, or to apply for your new business to be considered as a participant!

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New Venue for SXSWedu: Hilton Austin Downton

SXSWedu will move to the deluxe Hilton Hotel for the 2012 event. Attendees will appreciate being just a short elevator ride away from the conference activities and the amenities offered at this contemporary, high-rise hotel. Located at 4th Street and Neches, the Hilton is within easy walking or pedi-cab distance of dozens of restaurants and evening activities – the most convenient location in town. Remember to reserve your Hilton room online through the SXSWedu Housing Desk when you register for SXSWedu 2012.

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eduSOCIAL: Connect with the SXSWedu Community at Anytime!

We want to offer our registrants a new way to enrich their experience before, during and after SXSWedu 2012, and we believe our registrant directory, eduSOCIAL, can help you do just that!

eduSOCIAL is the way to meet and network with fellow registrants leading up to SXSWedu 2012. Find colleagues, clients, partners, or make new connections using eduSOCIAL's search and messaging features.

Using eduSOCIAL, registrants can create a profile with a bio, as well as upload a badge photo, make or change hotel reservations and update contact information.

With these networking features, we hope that the addition of eduSOCIAL will help you plan and make the most of your experience at SXSWedu.